Structural shape



R. J. HARRY STRUCTURAL SHAPE Filed May 5, 1950] igzz mvemom' EOBEET .7. #451? Y,

Zf W F Patented a. 31, 1933 f UNITED STATES P ATENT OFFICE r I I 1,933,429 I it,

STRUCTURAL SHAPE Robert J. Harry, Homestead, Pa.

Application May 3, 1930. Serial No. 449,617 3 Claims. (01. 189-37) This invention relates tostructural shapes and, while not limited thereto, "relates more particularly to built-up structural shapes or beams formed by welding a series of rolled metal plates 5 together to form the .web and flange portions thereof, and has for its object the provision of a beam having a web portion of varying cross-sectional area throughout its length so as to provide maximum cross-section where the stress is greatest.

Referring more particularly tothe drawing, the

letter A designates the web portion of the beam and the letter B designates the flange portions thereof.

The web A is composed of a relatively thin center section 2 and successively thicker end sections 3 and 4, all of which sections arewelded together end-to-end, as at 5, to form acontinuous web.

The flange portions B are each composed of a single'rolled metalplate which extends along the entire length of the assembled and welded webA and is secured thereto by Welds 6 alongthe longitudinal edges of the web A. 1

By building up a beam as above described, I am able to provide a beam capable of supporting a predetermined load, which beam will be materially lighter than rolled beams capable of supporting a similar load due to the factthat rolled beams are necessarily of the same cross-section throughout their length, while a beam constructed in accordance with this invention may be made heavier where the stresses are greatest and lighter where the stresses are less.

The invention is shown in connection only with a shape analogous to an I-beam. But it may be applied to various shapes which; are in general The invention is illustrated connection with arc welding. But it is applicable alsotoshapes in which the parts are weldecl'together by any I-Ieretofore beams have generally had webs of I throughout its length.

similar to I-beams but differ therefrom in'theone of various other known or suitable methods.

While I have shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since various modifications may be'made without de- 69 parting from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: c

1. As a new article of manufacture, the builtup structural shape, characterized by having a 5 cross-section within the limits that may be rolled as an integral shape, which comprises web and flange portions formed of rolled metal plates and continuous welds uniting the fianges and longitudinal edges of the web portions into a unified 7 structure, said web portion being composed of a plurality of relatively short lengths of rolled meta1 plates of varying thickness welded end-to-end to form a continuous web of single plate thickness 2. As a new article of manufacture, the built.- up structural shape, characterized by having a cross-section within the limits that may be rolled as an integral shape, which comprises web .and

flange portions formed'of rolled metal plates and continuous welds uniting the flanges and longitudinal edges of the web portions into a unified structure, said web portion being composed of a central section of rolled metal plate of relatively thin cross-section, and otherrelatively short sections of rolled metal plate of successively thicker cross-section, said sections of plate being arranged end-to-end and welded together to form a, continuous web of single plate thickness throughout its length. 3. As a new article of manufacture, the builtup structural shape, characterized by having a cross-section within the limits that may be rolled as an integral shape, which comprises web and flange portions formed of rolled metal plates and continuous welds uniting the flanges and longitudinal edges of the web portions into a unified structure, said web portion being composed of a central section of rolledmetal plate of relatively thin cross-section, and other relatively short sections of rolled metal plate of successively thicker cross-section, said sections of plate being arranged end-to-end and welded together to form a continuous web of single plate thickness throughout its length, and each of said flange portions being composed of a single rolled metal plate of uniformcross-section throughout.

'ROBERT J. HARRY. 

